International News - Issue 196

Mourinho Suggests Falcao Is Too Good For MonacoChelsea boss Jose Mourinho has hinted at a summer move for Radamel Falcao after claiming the Colombia striker deserves a bigger stage for his talents than current club Monaco. And, in comments which are sure not to go down well with Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Romelu Lukaku – Mourinho suggested Chelsea would be the perfect place for Falcao as they don’t currently have a striker. - Full Story via Metro

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has admitted his hopes of signing Loic Remy permanently are receding with every goal he scores. The France international returned from suspension to fire the Magpies to a vital 1-0 victory over Aston Villa although he left it late to do so. Remy’s 12th goal of the season came in the 92nd minute at St James’ Park and served as a timely reminder of the loan signing’s potency, with other potential suitors also casting eyes over him. Asked if every additional strike takes the frontman further from his grasp, Pardew said: “I think that’s fairly obvious. -Full Story via Metro

Jose Mourinho has been caught questioning the legitimacy of Samuel Eto’o’s age in a publicity interview for a Swiss watch firm. The Blues manager, apparently unaware he was being filmed, was reported in L’Equipe as saying: “The problem with Chelsea is that I lack a scorer. I have Eto’o but he is 32 years old … maybe 35, who knows?” Eto’o has scored eight goals in 27 appearances for Chelsea since joining from Anzhi in the summer, and Mourinho’s comments are a reference to a problem which is perceived to be rife among African footballers, where players reportedly lie about their age in order to help boost their career prospects. -Full Story via Metro

Holland coach Louis van Gaal has increased the pressure on Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood by once again stating he wants to work in England. Sherwood’s chances of keeping his job past the summer were hit by a 1-0 Premier League defeat at Norwich on Sunday which leaves the north Londoners six points behind Liverpool in the race for fourth place. Now Van Gaal has once again expressed his wish to take charge of a team in England after the World Cup when he will step down as Holland boss. -Full Story via Metro

Tomas Rosicky will be rewarded for his fine form by being handed a new contract by Arsenal. Arsene Wenger confirmed the Czech schemer, 33, has agreed an extension to his current deal, which was due to expire in the summer. “Tomas Rosicky will stay. We have an agreement with him and it will come out soon,” said the Frenchman. -Full Story via Metro

Scottish TV bosses had to delay a broadcast of Saturday’s clash between Ross County and St Mirren because of foul-mouthed chants from supporters. The Premiership clash between Ross County and St Mirren, a 3pm kick-off, was delayed by more than five hours when it became obvious the blue language would be heard on the transmission. -Full Story via Metro

Bayern Munich have warned Manchester United they will not be forced into selling Toni Kroos at the end of the season. David Moyes has been linked with a summer bid for the German star, 24, after scouting him extensively in recent weeks, but Bayern’s sporting director Matthias Sammer has ruled out the possibility of the midfielder leaving the Allianz Arena. -Full Story via Metro

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has agreed a new five-and-a-half year deal with his club worth £300 000 a week. Despite recent rumours linking the England international away from the club, the 28-year-old has reportedly agreed to extend his current contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until June 2019. The striker has scored a total of 208 goals in 430 appearances for the Red Devils since joining from Everton ten years ago. Manchester United have yet to formally announce the contract.
-Full Story via Kickoff

Zinedine Zidane's 18-year-old son Enzo appears to have chosen France over Spain as the country he will represent at international level. Enzo Alan Zidane Fernandez – who goes by Enzo Fernandez (his mother's name) in the Real Madrid 'A' team – is also eligible to play for Algeria, the country of his grandparents' birth, and his previously been called up by Spain's Under-15 side. -Full Story via Kickoff

Barcelona stalwart Carles Puyol is unlikely to play at the upcoming World Cup, according to Spain assistant coach Toni Grande. Puyol, 36, impressed in defence when La Roja won FIFA's flagship event in South Africa four years ago. However, the 100-cap veteran has only played once in La Liga in 2014. -Full Story via Kickoff

Barcelona forward Neymar has utilised his personal Instagram account to lash out at former Brazilian club Santos for their accusations of his father over the player’s move to Spain. Ex-Santos president Luis Álvaro Oliveira (LAOR) accused Neymar’s father for organising his son’s transfer to Barcelona behind the club’s back and without their consent. "With this type of people, that bastard (referring to Neymar's father), it's useless to argue through the media. -Full Story via Kickoff

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored a hat-trick in his side’s 4-2 Ligue 1 victory over Toulouse on Sunday to net his fifth goal in five days for his club. The French side overpowered German outfit Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 in their first-leg Round of 16 Champions League on Tuesday, with the Swedish frontman netting a brace in their resounding victory. -Full Story via Kickoff

The draw for the qualifying groups of Euro 2016 was confirmed on the weekend at a glitzy event in Nice as the 53 European nations found out who they will be pitted against in the qualifying round for Europe’s most prestigious international tournament, to be held in France. Current European champions Spain will return to Ukraine – where they won Euro 2012 – in their most competitive match-up in Group C, as they look to become the first nation to win three consecutive European Championships. The first round of qualification matches will begin on 7 September 2014.

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